The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has welcomed the federal government’s decision to remove caps on cleaning and gardening supports for older Australians in aged care, calling it a step in the right direction for the Support at Home program.
OPAN Director of Policy and Systemic Advocacy, Samantha Edmonds, says the move reflects the government’s responsiveness to feedback from older Australians.
“We would like to thank the government for listening to the feedback from older people,” Ms Edmonds said.
“Older people have told us countless times that a cap of 52 hours per annum on cleaning and 18 hours per annum on gardening is woefully inadequate.
“If you are an older person with continence issues, one hour of cleaning a week is simply not enough to keep your home at a hygienic standard.
“Older people may also require additional gardening for safety reasons, such as fire hazard reduction.”
Cost barriers remain a concern
While celebrating the removal of service caps, OPAN reiterates its call for the abolition of co-contribution payments for personal and respite care, warning that costs remain a significant barrier to accessing essential services.
“We clearly said in our submission to the Aged Care Bill 2024 that no fees should be charged for personal or respite care,” Ms Edmonds said.
“When older people avoid these services due to cost, it impacts their health and wellbeing and places additional pressure on the healthcare system when they require more advanced care.
“If the government does not remove co-contribution payments, there should be caps to ensure that cost does not present a barrier to accessing these important services.”
Future collaboration
Ms Edmonds says OPAN remains committed to working with the government to ensure the needs and voices of older Australians are central to aged care policy development.
“We look forward to working further with the government to ensure the voice of older people is heard and understood,” she said.
